Average field size up over 20 percent in May

The average field size for a race held in May at U.S. racetracks jumped 21.4 percent this year as horsemen flooded races at tracks that were able to hold live races in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures released by Equibase on Thursday.

Average field size during the month was 8.64 horses per race, compared to 7.11 horses per race in May of last year, Equibase said. U.S. racetracks held only 1,059 races in May, compared to 3,650 races in May of last year.

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The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted racing, so much so that comparisons between last May and this May are nearly worthless. In total, handle on U.S. races in May was $908.5 million, down 30.2 percent, but with so many tracks closed, the average handle per-race jumped 141 percent, from $356,417 in May of last year to $857,889 this year.

This year’s May racing calendar did not include the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes. Both races have been rescheduled for the fall.

Total purses, which are heavily subsidized in the U.S. by casino operations, fell 72.4 percent on the month-to-month comparison. Nearly all casinos in the U.S. have been shuttered since mid-March, though some states are gradually allowing their casinos to re-open at heavily reduced capacities. The average purse per race fell 4.8 percent, from $31,720 in May of last year to $30,180 this year.

Year-to-date, total wagering on U.S. races has fallen 13.3 percent. Average wagering per race has jumped 39 percent, from $345,473 to $481,780.